How Can We Be Sure When to Trust?

Last week’s post review the book The China Study which provides seemingly credible evidence advocating for a plant based diet to avoid and even cure disease. A quick internet search will uncover passionate arguments for and against a plant based diet.

So how can we know? When do we know? What is right? How can we use information? What should we do?

It’s important to find out how research is conducted and who sponsors the research. All research will have some holes in it. All research can be disproved in some way. So what are we to do when we are at the crossroads and need to make decisions?

Understand as much as possible about the study and the motivation of the study as possible

Determine if the study and the advocates of the study are trustworthy

Do your best to understand the world view of those advocating the study

Evaluate the information against your own beliefs, awareness, experiences

Have open conversations with people that both support and discredit the cause. Listen deeply to their responses and opinions. Use the information to inform your beliefs. Listen with the intent to learn and understand.